If you love the Italian cream cheese known as mascarpone, you may be wondering if you can freeze it. Learn everything you need to know!
We’ll show you how to properly freeze mascarpone cheese in this helpful guide!
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Mascarpone cheese is one ingredient commonly used in assorted dishes. The versatile taste and texture allows people to use this type of soft cheese when preparing both sweet and savory dishes.
Its lovely buttery texture makes it a great spread for bagels and toast, but it’s also commonly used in many other recipes.
Perhaps best known for its use in tiramisu, it can also be used in cheesecakes and other dessert recipes, as well as main dishes such as pasta sauce.
Mascarpone cheese is an Italian cream cheese, somewhat softer and creamier than the texture of American cream cheese, and without the tang.
No matter what you’re planning to make using this versatile cheese, you may wonder if you can freeze mascarpone and hold onto it until you’re ready to use it.
As a fresh cheese, you may want to extend its life past that of the expiration date on the package.
Freezing the cheese gives you a chance to save it for an extended period to prevent it from going to waste.
Can You Freeze Mascarpone Cheese?
Because of its high fat content, it’s entirely possible to freeze mascarpone cheese.
If you buy it and aren’t planning to use it right away but want to make sure it won’t go bad, consider placing it in the freezer, where it can stay fresh for up to two to four months.
This is a great way to extend its “shelf life” until you can use the versatile cheese in one of your favorite dishes.
It’s important to know that, as with many dairy products, the liquid and solids may begin separating during the freezing process (this can also happen when you freeze cream cheese), which may cause you to assume that the thawed cheese is no longer good and can’t be used in recipes.
However, it’s possible to restore the texture of the cream cheese.
The simple solution is to defrost the cheese (in the refrigerator), and then give it a vigorous stir with a spoon or electric mixer to bring the solids and liquid back together. You can expect it to take two minutes or less to mix the cheese and restore it back to its original velvety texture.
If necessary, you can also use a double boiler method to help soften the fat molecules, which will allow them to come back into the mixture easier.
How to Freeze Mascarpone
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your mascarpone is packaged well before freezing.
If you haven’t opened the package of mascarpone cheese, you can place it directly in the freezer while it’s still in its original packaging, because it’s sealed with plastic and a lid.
However, if you’ve already opened the original package and would like to preserve some of the leftover mascarpone by putting the cheese in the freezer, transfer it into an airtight container, giving it a good stir, then seal it with a lid before placing it in the freezer.
You can also double-wrap the cheese with cling film and aluminum foil. Alternatively, if you happen to have a vacuum sealer, you can use that as well!
And of course, you can freeze smaller portions if desired, that way you can simply thaw out as much as you need later.
Once it’s wrapped tightly, it’s ready to be frozen.
Place it in the coldest part of your freezer (usually the back or against a side), so it will freeze as quickly as possible. This helps to prevent crystal formation and freezer burn.
When stored properly, the mascarpone will remain fresh and ready to use for up to two months, sometimes four months, depending on the quality of the cheese.
For best results, freeze for the shortest duration necessary.
How to Defrost Frozen Mascarpone
Let your frozen mascarpone defrost in the fridge instead of out in the open on a kitchen counter at room temperature.
It can take up to 12 hours for the mascarpone to fully defrost when you put it in the fridge.
Most people pull it out the night before using it to give it that full 12 hours to thaw before attempting to use it in any recipes. This longer thawing process helps preserve its texture.
If you need to defrost the mascarpone cheese at a faster pace, fill a large bowl with hot water and then place the mascarpone cheese container into the bowl full of hot water.
The heat from the water will help soften the cheese to defrost it quicker for you to use, but do note that it may be more lumpy when thawed this way.
Can You Freeze Mascarpone in Tiramisu?
If you’ve used mascarpone in tiramisu and would like to freeze the dessert, you can do so, but it’s best to use full-fat mascarpone in the recipe because it freezes best compared to low-fat and no-fat options that separate easier when frozen.
When preparing the tiramisu for the freezer, be sure to wrap it in a large sheet of plastic wrap to cover every inch of the dessert before adding a sheet of aluminium foil on top for added protection.
If you’ve sealed the dessert well, it can remain in the freezer for a maximum of three months, even with the mascarpone cheese added to it.
How to Use the Mascarpone Cheese
You can use mascarpone cheese in many ways. The versatile taste and texture makes it a common ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes.
Some people add it to cheesecake batter, while others serve this cheese with a bowl of fruit. You can use it to make muffins, or even spoon it onto a homemade pizza.
I also love to add it to fresh cream to make a mascarpone whipped cream and serve a dollop over banana bread or pumpkin bread. I also love using it in speculoos tiramisu.
It brings a smooth, creamy element to so many things!
With many ways to use it, preserving it in the freezer for a long time makes sense because it will make the popular Italian cheese last even longer for you.
If you have purchased mascarpone cheese and don’t plan to use it right away, you can freeze it to save it for a future use.
However, you’ll need to make sure you freeze it properly and defrost it the best way for the best results.
Don’t get discouraged if you notice that it looks like the liquid and solids have separated from one another in the container of mascarpone cheese. Remember, because of its water content and amount of milk fat, that separation often happens when freezing it.
Simply follow our instructions for restoring it to its original form and you’ll be good to go!
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